Qatar Airways unbundling business class "R" fares

[Matt_01]

I was thinking I was having a string of bad luck in selecting seats as I could not select QR seating online however QF was able to select them on my behalf. Anyhow as I stumbled across this thread I noticed comments about lounge access, do the QF rewards (U) come with lounge access to Al Mourjan lounge. I am a bit confused after reading different media articles from late 2019 talking about QR unbundling J. I am a OWE

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I was thinking I was having a string of bad luck in selecting seats as I could not select QR seating online however QF was able to select them on my behalf. Anyhow as I stumbled across this thread I noticed comments about lounge access, do the QF rewards (U) come with lounge access to Al Mourjan lounge. I am a bit confused after reading different media articles from late 2019 talking about QR unbundling J. I am a OWE

'R' class fares are the ones unbundled. Any restrictions apply only to those fares. (So 'U' class not included in the restrictions.)

But your status would kick in anyway for things like lounge access.

 

[Flashback]

'R' class fares are the ones unbundled. Any restrictions apply only to those fares. (So 'U' class not included in the restrictions.)

But your status would kick in anyway for things like lounge access.

Yes but if relying on status alone, bar any COVID exceptions OWE doesn't get you into Al Mourjan.

 

[Matt_01]

Yes but if relying on status alone, bar any COVID exceptions OWE doesn't get you into Al Mourjan.

I am flying J rewards (QFF points) on QR metal. It was 2017 last time we went through DOH and that trip was F rewards (QFF points) and we had access to the Al Safwa lounge. I am aware of some but not all of the QR rules around lounge access and have not been through DOH or travelled with QR since they introduced the J unbundling.

I had asked about Al Mourjan lounge after seeing the below on the QR website and I was not sure about the wording 'while Business Class (Classic) and .....can purchase lounge access'. I was not sure if the 'Business Class (Classic)' is QR speak for a cheap revenue fare or a 'Classic Reward' in QF speak.

 

[Flashback]

I am flying J rewards (QFF points) on QR metal. It was 2017 last time we went through DOH and that trip was F rewards (QFF points) and we had access to the Al Safwa lounge. I am aware of some but not all of the QR rules around lounge access and have not been through DOH or travelled with QR since they introduced the J unbundling.

I had asked about Al Mourjan lounge after seeing the below on the QR website and I was not sure about the wording 'while Business Class (Classic) and .....can purchase lounge access'. I was not sure if the 'Business Class (Classic)' is QR speak for a cheap revenue fare or a 'Classic Reward' in QF speak.

View attachment 245306

You should have access but there's been reports of people on AAwards being denied incorrectly.

 

[Matt_01]

@Flashback thanks, these flights are a backup option as we are looking to get to the US and CA in Apr 22. My preferred OW itinerary is via JP, EU and UK however looking at the entry restristricions to the US and CA I am booking a few different options and will cancel as required. Who knows what rules will be inplace 12 months from now or even if I will be allowed to leave AU.

 

[Pushka]

Didn’t QR start restricting Al Mourjan to paid J fares? Pre Covid.

 

[clifford]

@Flashback Who knows what rules will be inplace 12 months from now or even if I will be allowed to leave AU.

You've hit the nail on the head there, and that would also apply to al Mourjan access. I understand that at the moment OWE are admitted to AM rather than the "First Class Lounge", but that could change at any time. So I wouldn't base my selection of flights on access to the AM lounge.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I am flying J rewards (QFF points) on QR metal. It was 2017 last time we went through DOH and that trip was F rewards (QFF points) and we had access to the Al Safwa lounge. I am aware of some but not all of the QR rules around lounge access and have not been through DOH or travelled with QR since they introduced the J unbundling.

I had asked about Al Mourjan lounge after seeing the below on the QR website and I was not sure about the wording 'while Business Class (Classic) and .....can purchase lounge access'. I was not sure if the 'Business Class (Classic)' is QR speak for a cheap revenue fare or a 'Classic Reward' in QF speak.

Business class classic = 'R' class.

There are three levels, Classic, Comfort and Elite.

This thread on FT has a comprehensive lounge chart in the wiki, explaining access rights on different tickets and by status: QR unbundles business class with new R fares - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[Matt_01]

Business class classic = 'R' class.

There are three levels, Classic, Comfort and Elite.

As you were posting I was looking up the class codes on EF and can see the 'R' fare bucket seems to be a revenue fare.


Over the course of today I did look at bookings via the QR and for the day I am travelling the only fares sold on the QR site were Comfort and Elite. As mentioned the word classic as used by QR and QF seems to have 2 different meanings.

During my adventures through the QR site I am now hoping that QR further extend their status offering. I applied via the VA status match and was matched to Privilege Club Platinum if this trip pans out, if QR extend status further and if the Al Safwa lounge is open the rules would suggest that I can use that lounge. A lot of 'ifs' am I holding my breath for this to happen , frankly no

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As you were posting I was looking up the class codes on EF and can see the 'R' fare bucket seems to be a revenue fare.

View attachment 245329
Over the course of today I did look at bookings via the QR and for the day I am travelling the only fares sold on the QR site were Comfort and Elite. As mentioned the word classic as used by QR and QF seems to have 2 different meanings.

During my adventures through the QR site I am now hoping that QR further extend their status offering. I applied via the VA status match and was matched to Privilege Club Platinum if this trip pans out, if QR extend status further and if the Al Safwa lounge is open the rules would suggest that I can use that lounge. A lot of 'ifs' am I holding my breath for this to happen , frankly no

That's right. As per post 62.

Qatar initially said that award seats would be deemed 'classic' and no lounge access. They reversed that decision within a couple of days. The only restrictions now are for revenue R class tickets.

U class is the business class award inventory and not subject to restriction.

The fact that Qantas calls it a 'classic award' refers only to their own FF program terminology. It has no relevance to Qatar branding or product offerings.

 

[PineappleSkip]

I was in DOH in March and Al Safwa was closed. Who knows when it will reopen. You don't get in there anyway unless you're travelling F. Only Al Mourjan was open, and for most of the day there were more staff than PAX.

The so called QR 'classic' tickets were previously called promo or somesuch. As the page notes, even if you book R you can pay for lounge access, and I suspect it would be better value than paying a higher fare. And I too think you won't have a problem getting in for free on a QF award seat.

cheers skip

 

[Flashback]

I was in DOH in March and Al Safwa was closed. Who knows when it will reopen. You don't get in there anyway unless you're travelling F. Only Al Mourjan was open, and for most of the day there were more staff than PAX.

The so called QR 'classic' tickets were previously called promo or somesuch. As the page notes, even if you book R you can pay for lounge access, and I suspect it would be better value than paying a higher fare. And I too think you won't have a problem getting in for free on a QF award seat.

cheers skip

And with no A380s flying and little traffic without the UAE where J is sold as F... I'm not sure it will open. Maybe sense will prevail and J fare + OWE will grant access? If not, perhaps use it to expand AM as that is always rammed although removing R pax will relieve that by a long mile.

 

[Matt_01]

You don't get in there anyway unless you're travelling F.

I understand the Al Safwa is currently closed so it is a moot point. Looking at their website maybe QR has changed the access rules to allow their WP to use this lounge provided they are travelling J and on QR metal. From the website:

"In addition to First Class passengers, Privilege Club Platinum members travelling Business Class with Qatar Airways can now access Al Safwa First Class Lounge with up to two guest passes."

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I understand the Al Safwa is currently closed so it is a moot point. Looking at their website maybe QR has changed the access rules to allow their WP to use this lounge provided they are travelling J and on QR metal. From the website:

"In addition to First Class passengers, Privilege Club Platinum members travelling Business Class with Qatar Airways can now access Al Safwa First Class Lounge with up to two guest passes."

This was introduced back in October 2019 and appears specific to QR’s own top status holders (not other OWEs).